Top 5… surprising reads of 2019
Good morning bookworms!
Today’s Top 5 Tuesday is ‘surprising reads of 2019’! Top 5 Tuesday is hosted by the super lovely Shanah over at the Bionic Bookworm. You can visit her here, and join in for Top 5 Tuesday by checking out all the amazing topics that are coming up!
Surprising reads, hey?! I’m not going to write about the anticipated reads that … weren’t quite as amazing as I was suspecting, or this post will turn into a rant. And then we’ll be here all day. And no one has time for that. So, let’s focus on the positive, and look at the happy accidents!!
Emergency Contact – Mary H. K. Choi
Honestly, it makes me slightly sad that this book came out in 2018 and I didn’t read it until 2019. Seriously, this book makes me so happy and I wish that I could still nominate it for every award ever. Yes, thanks, that would make me so happy.
So, if you haven’t read this book and you like contemporary novels, disaster children, coffee and baked goods, or good anxiety rep, then THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. Please read it. It’s amazing. Seriously, I can’t scream about this book enough.
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow – Jessica Townsend
It’s not often that I fall completely and utterly in love with middle grade books, but this year was certainly the year for it. Firstly, let’s talk about this one. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – it’s the new Harry Potter. Except it’s better.
Our MC, Morrigan Crow has a family, but she doesn’t have magic. In fact, she’s cursed. And it’s so much better this way around! This is a truly delightful series for all children, including the 20+ year old ones.
The Foxhole Court – Nora Sakavic
This book is so hit and miss with people that I was kind of nervous going into it. But seriously, best book ever. I don’t even know how to describe it, but when I do it makes it sound like the worst book ever… (torture, rape, broken boys, made up sport, smoking, drug abuse…) but it just works.
Honestly, I’ve cried while reading a lot of books this year, but with this one I was basically sobbing from end of the first book to the end of the series.
Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come – Jessica Pan
Ok, so this was an ARC where I was like “I could read this, it sounds like fun”. However, I was mostly sold by the cake on the cover. And I thought I would find it funny, but never that it would hit home as much as it did, not as often.
Jessica Pan details her one year of saying yes to the most terrifying things to an introvert: parties, trips with strangers, doing stand up comedy and improv. And while she can tell the stories in an entertaining way, she doesn’t shy away from the awful parts either. This book had me going from crying in sadness to crying with laughter from page to page.
Wayward Son – Rainbow Rowell
Honestly, this book wasn’t perfect, but it also wasn’t bad. It was unexpected. Even knowing what I did going into it, Rowell still surprised me with how much this book really describes in details, just what kind of PTSD / trauma / anxiety that Simon is going through. There’s no loving family (biological or found) there to pat him on the back and keep him on the straight and narrow. Just a best friend, a boyfriend, daytime tv and the curry shop down the street. And this is the book that we all (including Simon) deserve.
TBH, this book has made me think about so many things that I actually think I’m going to have to lift the rating on it.
What were your most surprising reads of the year??
22 Comments
Sofia @ BookishWanderess
I’m so happy you enjoyed The Foxhole Court, I love that series and I need to reread it soon!
Meeghan reads
I read the whole trilogy in 48 hours. I was also home sick from work, but seriously, it was amazing!!
passionatelyperusing
I’m Sorry I’m Late is one on my radar. I’m excited you enjoyed it!
Meeghan reads
It was really good – I loved it!!
evelynreads1
I was also very pleasantly surprised by Nevermoor! I can’t wait for the third book!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Meeghan reads
Oh yeah!! Hollowpox is my most anticipated read for 2020!!
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Shanah - Bionic Book Worm
I’ve heard so many great things about Foxhole Court – I really need to get to that one of these days!!! Great list 🙂
Meeghan reads
Thanks Shanah!!
wonderwall360blog
My most pleasantly surprising was Martian as enjoyed even though do not usually read sci fi
Meeghan reads
I’m not really a huge sci-fi reader either, but I will check it out!!
J.W. Martin
Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come is a HILARIOUS title. I think there’s a Jim Gaffigan joke in his latest special that is almost the same!
Meeghan reads
Excellent. I will be looking up Jim!!
J.W. Martin
Did you end up finding some sweet, sweet Gaffigan comedy?
Meeghan reads
I did!! He has 6 specials on Netflix in Aus… I just haven’t watched any yet!! ?
Taylor
I haven’t read any of these books but they all sound wonderful. I’m glad you had several great reads this year! This is a great list. You should check out my list.
(taysinfinitethoughts.blog)
Meeghan reads
I will, thank you!! I also had books that I was expecting to love and did, so that was good too. ?
Beware Of The Reader
Bwahahaha sold by the cake on the cover! At least that’s honest Meeghan! LOL
Meeghan reads
I like cake, what can I say?! ?
Mere
I am the person who has mixed feelings on Foxhole Court! Also yes loved Wayward for the things you mentioned!
Meeghan reads
Thanks Mere!! I totally understand the mixed feelings!!
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